A step-forward in the characterization of microalgal consortia: Microbiological and kinetic aspects

Potential application and beneficial effects of a marine microalgal biomass produced in a high-rate algal pond (HRAP) in diets of European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax

Microalgae have been used as live food in aquatic species. In recent years, the interest in microalgae has considerably increased, thanks to the evolution of production techniques that have identified them as an ecologically attractive aquafeed ingredient. The present study provides the first data about the effects of dietary inclusion of a microalgae consortium grown in a high-rate algal pond system on zootechnical performance, morphometric indices, and dietary nutrient digestibility as well as morphology and functionality of the digestive system of European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax. A dietary treatment including a commercial mono-cultured microalgae (Nannochloropsis sp.) biomass was used for comparison. Six hundred and thirty-six European sea bass juveniles (18 ± 0.28 g) were randomly allotted into 12 experimental groups and fed 4 different diets for 10 weeks: a control diet based on fish meal, fish oil, and plant protein sources; a diet including 10% of Nannochloropsis spp. biomass (100 g/kg diet); and two diets including two levels (10% and 20%) of the microalgal consortium (100 and 200 g/kg diet). Even at the highest dietary inclusion level, the microalgal consortium (200 g/kg diet) did not affect feed palatability and fish growth performance. A significant decrease in the apparent digestibility of dry matter, protein, and energy was observed in diets including 10 and 20% of the microalgal consortium, but all fish exhibited a well-preserved intestinal histomorphology. Moreover, dietary inclusion with the microalgal consortium significantly increased the enzymatic activity of maltase, sucrase-isomaltase, and ɤ-glutamil transpeptidase in the distal intestine of the treated European sea bass. Algal consortium grown using fish farm effluents represents an attempt to enhance the utilization of natural biomasses in aquafeeds when used at 10 % as substitute of vegetable ingredients in diet for European sea bass.

H2S oxidation coupled to nitrate reduction in a two-stage bioreactor: Targeting H2S-rich biogas desulfurization

A two-stage bioreactor operated under anoxic denitrifying conditions was evaluated for desulfurization of synthetic biogas laden with H₂S concentrations between 2500 and 10,000 ppm_v. H₂S removal efficiencies higher than 95% were achieved for H₂S loads ranging from 16.2 to 51.9 gS m_liquid^-3h^-1. Average H₂S oxidation performance (fraction of S-SO₄^2- produced per gram of S-H₂S absorbed) ranged between 8.2 ± 1.2 and 18.7 ± 5.3% under continuous liquid operation. Nitrogen mass balance showed that only 2-6% of the N-NO₃^- consumed was directed to biomass growth and the rest was directed to denitrification. Significant changes in the bacterial community composition did not hinder the H₂S removal efficiency. The bioreactor configuration proposed avoided clogging issues due to elemental sulfur accumulation as commonly occurs in packed bed bioreactors devoted to H₂S-rich biogas desulfurization.